Knockdown furniture



May 14, 1935. v. F. BLAKE 2,000,915

KNOCKDOWN FURNITURE Filed Jan. 31, 1933 INVENTQR` Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNOCKDOWN FURNITURE Valerie F. Blake, New York, N. Y.

Application January 31, 1933, Serial No. 654,408

2Claims.

This invention relates to tables and similar articles of furniture.

The objects of the invention are to provide a table or the like, in a light, inexpensive, folding or knockdown form, which can be stored and shipped in compact flat shape, which can be quickly and easily set up without tools or exercise of any skill and which may be constructed of cardboard, corrugated board or similar inexpensive flexible material and be so braced and secured when set up as to constitute a rigid, durable and practical structure.

Additional objects and the various novel features of the invention by reason of which such objects are attained, will all appear as the specification proceeds.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrates certain practical commercial embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the structure may be modified and changed all within the broad intent and scope of the claims.

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating a table construction and showing the two base parts assembled and the table top as about to be interlocked therewith, the arrows in this view indicating how the assembled base parts may be hinged ilat together without disassembling them.

Figs. 2 and 3 are face views on a smaller scale illustrating the complementary base parts.

Fig. 4 is an end view illustrating how the base members and the table top may each be folded into smaller compass and the three parts be packed in a relatively small flat bundle.

Fig. 5 is an end view illustrating folding of the base members into ilat relation by the hinging movement indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged broken and sectional detail, illustrating the interlocking engagement between table top -and base members.

Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating a modified construction.

As shown in Fig. l, the table consists of simply three parts, the two companion base members 8, 9 and the top member III. These several members may be of various sizes and shapes.

In this particular disclosure, all three membe of the table are made of corrugated board, as appears at the edges of the members at II.v For structural reasons, the base members are arranged with the corrugations running vertically and the top member is disposed with the corrugations extending inclinedly to both the base members.

The base members are connected by slotting one up from the bottom as indicated at l2, Fig. 8, and the other down from the top as indicated at I3, Fig. 3, and engaging one over the other as in Fig. 1, so that the separated parts of one come opposite a solid portion of the other.

'Ihe top member is interlocked with the two base membersbymeans of slots Il, in the corners of the top member, taking over upstanding lugs I5, on the outer corners of the base members.

'I'he lugs or keys I5 may be formed so as to automatically lock the table top in place thereon, as by forming them somewhat undercut as indicated at I6, in Fig. 6 and by cutting the slots just deep enough so as to require the forcing down of the table top over these lugs, the springiness and ilexibility of the material enabling this interlocking action.

In Fig. 1,it is shown that the locking and positioning slots in the tabletop need not be cut through to the edges of the top and may be formed as diagonally disposed slot-like holes Ma therethrough. 'Ihis leaves a continuous rim of material at I1, about the edge of the top at the outside of the locking lugs I5. This view also shows how the lugs l5 may be set inward from the outer edges of the base members, so as to leave a supporting shoulder I8, at the outside of the lugs for support of the continuous rim portion I1 of the top. The lugs I5 in this last described construction may be undercut at theouter edges as indicated at lia, so as to hold the top down by the outer rim portion of the same and, as also indicated in Fig. 7, the lugs may b e undercut at both edges to lock the table top more rmly in place. Fig. 7 illustrates as well. the fact that the locking lugs l5 need extend but slightly, if at all, above the table surface.

'Ihe table may be made-in various heights, such as best suited to card playing, beach parties, picnic or other purposes and both the top and base members may be made in various ornamental shapes and sizes. Thus, the top may be circular, oval or oblong instead of the square shape shown. The corrugated board of which the parts are made, may be specially painted, printed, covered, varnished, or otherwise treated to produce artistic effects and, or, to render the same liquidproof, tire-resisting or the like.

'I'he table is quickly set up by simply matching the slotted portions of the two base members'and slipping them together in the rectangular relation shown in Fig. 1, after which the top is forced down over the lugs of the base members, whereupon the top locks the base members in their outstanding relation and becomes in turn locked to said base members. In this locked relation of the parts, the table may be handled as a single unit and without coming apart.

To fold the table, it is only necessary to lift oi the top, forcing it back over the rounded holding shoulders of the holding lugs and when clear, the two base members may be swung together as indicated by the arrows, Fig. 1, about the central connected portions, as a pivot to the fiat folded condition indicated at Fig. 5, where the split or separated portions 8a, 9a of each member will overlie opposite faces of solid or uncut portions of the other member, the flexibility of the matexrial permitting this action without any breaking or tearing. If desired, the base members can be readily entirely separated, but usuallythe table may be taken down and stored by simply removing the top, swinging the two base members flat together and then placing the top at over the folded base pieces, the whole then constituting a iiat bundle, which may be readily stored behind a door or the like.

If it is desired to pack or store the 'structure in smaller space, the base members may be folded on themselves by scoring the solid portions of the same, in line with the cuts as indicated at I9, Figs. 2 and 3, to form suitable hinges for the purpose. Similarly, the top may be scored or otherwise be given a hinging line 2l. Fig. 4, shows how when thus folded on themselves the members may be packed in smaller space, width considered. 'Ihe hinge lines Il and 2l extend longitudinally vof the corrugations and so enable the desired hinging movements without cutting across or weakening the longitudinal stability of the corrugations.

For shipment and for storage before sale, the

three parts may be packed in the closely folded condition illustrated in Fig. 4 and thereafter when a table is taken down for putting away, it may be folded by simply removing the top and hinging the base members together as in Fig. 5, leaving the parts then in condition to' bemore easily set up as a table. A Y

Where the interengaging positioning and locking lugs and slots are equidistantly spaced, as here illustrated, the table top is both interchangeable all around and reversible face-for-face. This same reversibility and interchangeability can be c-arried out with circular and other shapes of table tops and to a lesser extent, can be carried out with elongated and other shapes of tops. The

flexibility and resiliency of the material is an advantage in the quick setting up and fitting of the parts and the positive interlocking of the constituent parts provides a relatively sturdy rigid structure, even though the several members be of rather light and somewhat flimsy material. The interlocking bracing relations of the members provide suiilcient strength to enable the utilization of the invention for stools, stands and the like, as well as for tables. 'I'he slots in the 'edge portion of the table top deilnitely space and vsteady ,the upper outer corners of the base members, where the need for' bracing is greatest. The scoring I in the solid portion of one base member has a tendency to center and hold the split portions of the other base member, thereby bracing such split portions to such extent.

What is claimed is:

1. A table or the like, comprising folding base members slotted inward from opposite ends and having hinglng scores extending from the inner ends of the slots therein, whereby when interlocked by endwise engagement, separated portions of one base member will come opposite and be located by scored portions in the faceof the other base member and a folding top member having an intermediate hinging score, said folding top member being supported by said base members and having interlocking engagement at its edges with the outer corner portions of the base members, to therebydeflnitely locate and secure said outer corner portions, and said interlocking engagement between the edges of the folding top member and outer corner portions of the base members also holding said folding top member in its spread open position, wherein it holds the folding base members xedly spaced in spread open relation.

2. A table or the like, comprising base members of corrugated board arranged -with the corrugations extending vertically andslotted inwardly from opposite ends to enable endwise interlocking engagement of the same, undercut lugs at the outer corners of said base members providing locking shoulders at the undercut portions of the same VALERIE F. BLAKE. 

